Hi All
I wondered if anyone had any definitive info on British Napoleonic Drummer boy headgear esp shakos both Belgic and stovepipe?
Were they just cut down versions of adult ones or were they especialy made?
Any help will be gratefully received!!!
Thanks
Pete

I found one in TK Max.

The only reference I could find at all was reference to a cut down shako plate to fit the smaller boys size shako so i guess that there must have been a specialy made smaller version.
Cheers Carl

I searched and could not find diddly about them either, Pete what you did find where was it ?

I think the answer may be that no special shakos were provided, beyond the normal range of sizes. Although on Home Service quite young boys were sometimes recruited ( seven or eight ) , the boys on foreign service were normally over 14 or so, and though shrimpy by modern standards they could probably wear the men's sizes, which would also have been rather smaller than modern sizes. Remember most Napoleonic Infantry were around 5 foot five inches, and very slender.
I presume you have a boy-sized figure, but it's also worth noting that quite a lot of drummers were young or even not-so-young men.

Great points, I would reckon they were more 'field mod' rather than factory produced? Presuming there are no surviving examples.

I know it doesn't relate to their headgear but I have come across a reference to regulations wherein it's recognised that there may be insufficient space on a drummer boy's uniform to accomodate the prescribed amount of drummers lace. That's the only place I've found where there is recognition of any physical difference between rank & file soldiers and the younger of the regimental musicians. I've been told that it was a prerequisite for drummers that they were to be able to handle the regular sized drum regardless of age so they couldn't have been that small. Tony is quite correct to point out that many of the musicians were adult.
The painting of the drums & fifes of the 57th at Albuera by Lady Butler rather nicely captures this mix of ages.

Pete I think that common sense would suggest that a diminutive person would have had real problems wearing a full size shako and so there must have been concessions in the supply of suitable headgear.
What the hell sculpt it so it looks right and maybe one day you'll be cited as an authoritive source

Geoff

Hi!! Thanks for the imput guys
I think that I will do what Geoff suggests although I'm not sure about my becoming an Authoritive source!!!!
I'll post some pics of the finished article (when I finish it!!) and see what people think

The site I found was called 'Drummer' Drummers of the Penninsular and Napoleonic wars.
I dont know how to link it-sorry!!!!

That's the one Carl

Hi Pete.

How are you. I am not 100% sure but did drummers not usually wear a bear skin grenadier style cap. here is an excellent Reinactors site from America that gives the Royal clothing warrant for 1768 which may help. http://www.1stroyals.org/documents/clothingwarrant.pdf

The warrant gives the following details of the Drummers caps.


The drummers and fifers to have black bear-skin
caps. On the front, the King's crest, of silver plated
metal, on a black ground, with trophies of colours
and drums. The number of the regiment on the back
part; as also the badge, if entitled to any, as ordered
for the grenadiers.

Of course this may have changed by the time of the Napoleonic wars, however I seem to recall reading some where that they were still issued with Grenadier caps but to wear these only for ceremonial duties. Some may have been used on active service rather than the plain Infantry Shako, depending on the O.C.s perference.
Cheers
Ian.